Disclaimer: The only things I own in this world are my husband, my cats, and my imagination. All Harry Potter characters, locations, spells, situations, yada yada yada... all belong to the wondrous J.K. Rowling.
Author's Note: This was previously a chaptered story. However, I did not particularly care for the second chapter and left it laying about for months without an update. Then, I took the story down, but I have now decided to re-upload the first chapter as a one-shot until further notice. :)
"My beautiful Fallon..." Voldemort raised a hand weakly and stroked the young girl's cheek softly. "Beautiful, bright Fallon… how did you end up in a world so dark?"
A single tear fell down the girl's face. Voldemort slowly wiped it away and smiled sadly. The first time he saw the girl was the night that he had murdered Harry Potter's parents – Lily and James. She had been skipping along the sidewalk in her torn up sneakers and battered clothing. Her hair was flame red and her eyes were a deep, sparkling blue. She was three years old.
As he had exited the destruction that was once the happy Potter home, she was standing there with a blank stare on her face. She didn't say a word as he came out and he almost passed right by her. When he finally did notice her, he pulled his wand from his sleeve and raised it, preparing to rid the world of her existence.
She stood there, staring with her blue eyes. She didn't try to run. She didn't scream at his appearance. She didn't cry. She just simply stared. Voldemort had raised an eyebrow and began to slowly lower his wand.
The small child smiled softly and reached into her coat pocket. She pulled out a poorly folded piece of parchment and held it out to him. Cautiously, Voldemort reached out and took the gift into his fingers. He unfolded it. A picture of a happy family stared back at him - a mother, a father, and a son all smiling happily for the photographer – while a sullen little girl pouted and glared at the boy in her mother's arms.
"Mother and Father are gone, aren't they?" She asked quietly.
Voldemort nodded slowly as he handed the picture back to her. She shook her head and refused to accept it back.
"What about the baby?" She asked. "Is he gone too?"
Voldemort nodded again.
"Good." She smiled brightly up at him. "My name is Fallon - Mercy Fallon Potter. What's yours, mister?"
Voldemort looked startled for a second. The girl was a Potter – the daughter of the couple he had just murdered. He was unaware of them having a daughter or even an older child.
He looked down at her and gave a smirk. He extended his bony hand.
"Tom. My name is Tom Marvolo Riddle." Voldemort replied. "How would you like to come with me, Fallon, to a new home?"
She reached out and touched his hand nervously. Then, without a hint on hesitation, Fallon wrapped her arms around his leg and hugged him tightly.
"I'd love to, Tom."
The memory was the first of many that the two shared; however, it was probably the most touching and most important one in their shared history.
"That boy…" Voldemort said hoarsely. "He's so kind to you…"
More tears began to fall down Fallon's cheeks and onto Voldemort's fingers. Once more he smiled sadly and wiped them away from her pale skin.
"You should be with him." He continued without losing his slight smile. "He loves you, Fallon. You should be with him and share your life with him, Mercy Fallon Potter."
And with that, Tom Marvolo Riddle's hand fell slightly from her face. He drew in his last breath and gave one last smile. Then his eyes closed and he was gone.